SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL WEEKLY SERVICES SCHEDULE SAINT NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER WEEKLY SERVICES SCHEDULE

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1 SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH 114 South Chestnut Street, Shenandoah, Pennsylvania SAINT NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH North Morris Street, Saint Clair, Pennsylvania Rectory (570) Fax (570) St. Michael s Oak St. Hall (570) stmichaelsukrainian@verizon.net Website- Like us on Facebook@St Michael s Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Follow us on stmichaelukr Msgr. Myron Grabowsky Parish Priest Sunday, August 6 th, 2017 Transfiguration of Our Lord SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL WEEKLY SERVICES SCHEDULE Saturday, August 5 th Sunday, August 6 th Tuesday, August 8 th Wednesday, August 9 th Friday, August 11 th Saturday, August 12 th Sunday, August 13 th 3:30pm God s Blessings on His People & Blessing of Fruit 10:30am God s Blessings on John & Imre by Aunt Liz & Blessing of Fruit 8:00am +Steve Talpash by Jim & Anna Rehnert 8:00am +Rita Rehnert by Margaret Skrincosky 8:00am Reparation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 3:30pm +Mary Lazusky & +Anna Lefchick by William & Irene McAndrew 10:30am God s Blessings on His People SAINT NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER WEEKLY SERVICES SCHEDULE Saturday, August 5 th Sunday, August 6 th Monday, August 7 th Thursday, August 10 th Saturday, August 12 th Sunday, August 13 th 8:00am Reparation of the Immaculate & Sorrowful Heart of Mary 5:30pm +Fred & +Cecilia Bremer by Bernadette Bremer & Family & Blessing of Fruit 8:30am + Helen Seamon by Theresa Panchison & Blessing of Fruit 8:00am +John Zubar- Legacy Liturgy 8:00am Good Health and God s Blessings on Marie Plasha by Marlene Plasha Dana & Family 8:00am Reparation of the Immaculate & Sorrowful Heart of Mary 5:30pm +Harry Jr. & +Alice Chacho by Andrew & Anna Skrincosky 8:30am + Peter Laguna by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Galavage St. Michael s Lector Schedule: Saturday, August 5 th 2 Pet 1:10-19 Nancy Sawka Sunday, August 6th 2 Pet 1:10-19 Stephanie Rarick Saturday, August 12 th 1 Cor 4:9-16 Winifred Mohutsky Sunday, August 13 th I Cor 4:9-16 Alice Breznik St. Nicholas Lector Schedule: Saturday, August 5 th 2 Pet 1:10-19 David Toth Sunday, August 6th 2 Pet 1:10-19 Leeann Smulligan Saturday, August 12 th 1 Cor 4:9-16 Bernadette Bremer Sunday, August 13 th I Cor 4:9-16 Susan Miller

2 St. Michael: Upcoming Events Mark Your Calendars! SEMINARY DAY- THANK YOU to everyone who s hard work made Seminary Day a success. Thank you to all the workers, those who cooked, basket donations, ticket sales, set up, take down & organizing. You are a blessing! Heritage Day- We need people to march in Heritage Day on Saturday August 26 th. Anyone who is able to join us on that day please contact, Carol Kalavage or the rectory by August 18 th. Thank you. Save the Date Our Christmas Bingo will be Sunday October 15 th. Anyone interested in helping with the event should talk to Michelle Caputo, Theresa Krajcirik or Stephanie Rarick. Donations of new unused Christmas items can be left in the back of the Church or dropped off at the rectory.. Summer Lunches- Shenandoah Valley Elementary Cafeteria will be providing free lunch to all children 18 and under Monday Friday, starting June 19, 2017 thru August 18, 2017, 11:00am 12:30pm. All children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult. Sanctuary Light Available Dates: 9/3, 10/1, 10/8, 11/19, 12/3. Candles- Dates are open for the Iconosta ($12.00), Tetrapod ($6.00) & Crucifix ($6.00). Please contact the rectory office to reserve a date. Thank you. St. Nicholas: SEMINARY DAY- THANK YOU to everyone who s hard work made Seminary Day a success. Thank you to all the workers, those who cooked, basket donations, ticket sales, set up, take down & organizing. You are a blessing! Sanctuary Light Available Dates: 9/3, 10/1, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12 Few burdens are heavy when everyone lifts

3 Both Churches: Rectory Hours- will be reduced for the summer months. The hours for this week will be Monday 8/7 & Wednesday 7/9 from 10:30 to 2:30 Please call the rectory before coming down to be sure someone will be there to meet your needs. CHICKEN & HALUPKI DINNER sponsored by St. Nicholas Church. Will be on Sunday, August 20th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at St. Nicholas Hall, Primrose. Meal includes...chicken, halupki, filling, mashed potatoes, vegetable & roll $ 10.00/eat-in or take-out ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY CALL Raffle Winners from Ukrainian Seminary Day follows. 1st Prize: $1, Ferentz 2nd Prize: $ Karen Rade 3rd Prize: $ Ss. Peter and Paul, Mt. Carmel 4th Prize: Anna Cooper Seller Prize: Bob Padelsky The Second Annual Call to Prayer Pilgrimage is scheduled for Sunday, August 27th at Assumption BVM Church in Centralia. We extend a cordial invitation to the faithful of our deanery parishes as well as ALL people of good will to join us in this day of prayer. Come to this special place on the mountain to beseech the Lord for His blessings and graces. Come to this special place on the mountain to honor Our Most Blessed Mother. Come to this special place on the mountain to confess your sins, to venerate the holy relics of Blessed Bishop-Martyr Mykola Charnetsky. Come to pray for and receive the anointing for the healing of body and soul. Come to refresh your soul and renew your faith. Our Pilgrimage begins at Noon with the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka and the deanery clergy. Responses will be sung by the choir of Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church, McAdoo. A Living Rosary before the holy icon of Our Lady of Pochaiv will begin at 2:00PM led by Fr. Martin Kobos, OFM Conv., pastor of Mother Cabrini Church in Shamokin. Akafist to the Dormition of the Mother of God before the Holy Shroud of the Dormition will begin at 3:00PM with Msgr. James Melnic, pastor of Protection Church in McAdoo and St. Michael's Church in Hazleton as celebrant. A candlelight procession from our outdoor chapel to the church with the icon of Our Lady of Pochaiv will begin at 4:30PM. Archbishop Stefan and area clergy will join in celebrating a Moleben (Prayer Service) to the Mother of God as we enter the church. Archbishop Stefan will offer the homily. Following the Moleben, prayers for healing and the anointing of all pilgrims will take place as well as veneration of the relics of Blessed Bishop Martyr Mykola Charnetsky, known as the healer of souls, to serve as the conclusion of the days activities. Confessions will be provided at various locations throughout the church property from 1:30PM until 3:30PM. The icon and of Blessed Bishop Martyr Mykola Charnetsky will reside in the church throughout the day for prayer and veneration. Additionally, there will be light refreshments available for purchase throughout the day to nourish your body as well as your soul. Parking for handicapped individuals will be made available near the church grounds. All other pilgrims are asked to park in the specially marked lot in Centralia itself and shuttle busses will provide transportation to the church. We ask your cooperation in this so as to maintain peace and tranquility for prayer on the grounds. Help is needed to set up for this event : The schedule for set-up is as follows: Wednesday and Thursday, August 23rd and 24th from 4:00PM until 7:00PM--general cleaning of church, church hall and grounds. Friday, August 25th from Noon through the evening hours--setting up tables and chairs as well as preparing the outdoor chapels Food Bank We would like to thank everyone for their generous donations to our food bank. Please remember that we not only need non- perishable food, but paper goods and hygiene products.gift cards for grocery stores and gas cards are also always welcome. Thank you for helping to bring a little light into someone s day. God Bless. Save the Date Wedding Anniversary Celebration will be held Sunday, September 24 th. All married couples are invited to attend the 11am Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelpia followed by a dinner. Flyers/ registration forms are in the back of the church. Please register by September 13 th.

4 POPE FRANCIS MORNING MEDITATION IN THE CHAPEL OF THE DOMUS SANCTAE MARTHAE Advice for the weekend Friday, 9 June (by L'Osservatore Romano, Weekly ed. in English, n. 27, 7 July 2017) The Holy Father suggested reading the Book of Tobit this weekend. It requires only a quarter of an hour to read, but it is worth the effort because the Book of Tobit teaches us how to behave in the journey of life, both in the many beautiful moments and in the many unpleasant moments. In his homily on Friday morning, 9 June, Pope Francis observed that the reading also teaches us to discern, so as not to allow ourselves to be tricked by the fireworks of life nor by the deepest despair, which should be faced with prayer, patience and hope. He suggested the parallel stories of the two biblical characters of Tobit and Sarah the father-in-law and the daughter-in-law presented in the Book of Tobit, as an occasion for a personal examination of conscience. The Bible is the Word of God, and God speaks to us when we read and meditate upon the Bible, Pope Francis said at the beginning of his reflection. He noted that these days, until tomorrow, the liturgy has us reflect on the Book of Tobit: a narrative that, I would say, is a normal story, just like the stories of many people, the Pope explained. Above all, it is the story of two people: of Tobit, the father of Tobias, and of Sarah. It is the story of a father-in-law and a daughter-in-law; a story which makes us reflect. And it would be lovely the Pope suggested, if each of us were to take up this Book of Tobit today or this weekend; it s short and can be read in very little time; a quarter of an hour and see how the Lord moves the story forward, leads the life of people forward, even our own. In [the lives of] these two people Tobit and Sarah, father-in-law and daughter-in-law there are awful moments, beautiful moments, as in all of life, the Pope explained. Above all, there are unpleasant moments: Tobit is persecuted, he is mocked, he is insulted. He is even insulted by his own wife, Anna, who clearly was not a bad woman; she worked hard to keep the household going because he was blind; he had gone blind. It is an unpleasant moment which cannot be explained, the Pope continued. And thus both Anna and Sarah were suffering, because she too had been insulted and, even though she was still very young, she nevertheless wanted to kill herself. Both of them, in those terrible moments, asked to die : and Tobit, too, had done the same when he noticed that all had become black, dark, gloomy. All of us, affirmed Pope Francis, have gone through terrible, intense moments: not as intense as this, but we know what it feels like in a dark moment, in a moment of suffering, in a moment of difficulty. But Sarah thinks: if I hang myself, will I not cause my parents to suffer? ; and she stops and prays. Meanwhile, the Pontiff continued, Tobit says: this is my life, let us continue on, and he prays. This is precisely the attitude which saves us in terrible situations: prayer, the Pope explained. And also patience, because they are both patient with their own pain. Tobit and Sarah are also encouraged by the hope that God hears us and these horrible moments pass. And thus, in moments of sadness,

5 whether few or many; in dark times, we must always remember to turn to prayer, patience and hope. But there are also beautiful moments to be found in the story of Tobit and Sarah, the Holy Father observed. In fact, their story as we have heard, ends well. Certainly it is not the happy ending of novels, no. However, it is a lovely moment: after their suffering, the Lord comes close to them and saves them. Therefore, the Pope continued, there are beautiful, authentic moments, like this one: not those moments with counterfeit beauty, that are all artificial, a fireworks display, for this is not the beauty of the soul. And what do these two do in the beautiful moments? They thank God, opening their heart in a prayer of thanks. Tobit and Sarah s attitude inspired Pope Francis to propose a personal examination of conscience. I ask myself, and I ask us all, this question: do I, in the terrible moments and in the beautiful moments, know how to discern what is happening in my soul? Do I understand what is happening? In the awful moments, do I know that this is the cross and that there isn t an explanation and it can also appear to be a curse?. Precisely in these moments, the Pope continued, do I manage to pray, to have patience and to have at least a little hope?. And also: in the beautiful moments, do I allow joy to enter my heart, but that joy which is from God, that urges me to thank God, or do I fall into vanity and do I believe that all of life is like this? Today is this way and tomorrow will be a different way, no?. It is a fact, the Holy Father maintained, that our life journeys between bad times and times of weakness, but the Lord is always there. The Pope then continued with an examination of conscience: Do I know how to discern the Lord s presence, to turn to him in prayer? And then in praise, in the beautiful moments, the praise of joy, to thank him for what has happened?. In conclusion, the Pope renewed his earlier recommendation to read the story of Tobit and Sarah this weekend, to take the Bible in hand and find the Book of Tobit. This story teaches us how to behave on life s journey, with many beautiful moments and with many terrible moments, and it also teaches us to discern. In fact, Sarah made a discernment: It is better that I don t hang myself because this would cause great suffering to my parents. In the same way, Tobit also realized that one must wait, in prayer, in hope for the salvation of the Lord. Pope Francis concluded with the following advice: as we read this book this weekend, let us ask for the grace to be able to discern what is happening in the bad situations of our life; and how to keep going, and what happens in the beautiful moments, and to not be tricked by vanity. August 6 Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on August 6. The feast commemorates the transfiguration or metamorphosis of Christ on Mount Tabor, when our Lord appeared in His divine glory before the Apostles Peter, James, and John.

6 Scriptural Account: The event of the Transfiguration is recorded in three of the four Gospels: Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9: Jesus took the Apostles Peter, James, and John with Him up upon a mountain, and while they were on the mountain Jesus was transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became glistening white. Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ, talking to Him. Peter declared how good it was for them to be there and expressed the desire to build three booths for Moses, Elijah, and Christ. This reference to the booths could imply that this occurred during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles when the Jews would be camping out in the fields for the grape harvest; for this Feast had acquired other associations in the course of its history, including the memory of the wanderings in the wilderness recorded in the Old Testament book of Exodus. While Peter was speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice came from the cloud saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him." When the disciples heard this they fell on their faces filled with awe. Jesus came to them and told them to not be afraid. When the three looked up they saw only Jesus. As Jesus and His disciples came down the mountain, He told them not to speak of what they had seen until He had risen from the dead. Icon of the Feast In the icon of the Feast of the Transfiguration, Christ is the central figure (1.), appearing in a dominant position within a circular mandorla. He is clearly at the visual and theological center of the icon. His right hand is raised in blessing, and his left hand contains a scroll. The mandorla with its brilliant colors of white, gold, and blue represent the divine glory and light. The halo around the head of Christ is inscribed with the Greek words O on, meaning "The One Who is". Elijah (2.) and Moses (3.) stand at the top of separate mountain peaks to the left and right of Christ. They are bowing toward Christ with their right hands raised in a gesture of intercession towards Him. Saint John Chrysostom explains the presence of these two fathers of the faith from the Old Testament in three ways. He states that they represent the Law and the Prophets (Moses received the Law from God, and Elijah was a great prophet); they both experienced visions of God (Moses on Mount Sinai and Elijah on Mount Carmel); and they represent the living and the dead (Elijah, the living, because he was taken up into heaven by a chariot of fire, and Moses, the dead, because he did experience death). Below Christ are the three Apostles, who by their posture in the icon show their response to the transfiguration of Christ (4.). James has fallen over backwards with his hands over his eyes. John in the center has fallen prostrate. Peter is kneeling and raises his right hand toward Christ in a gesture

7 expressing his desire to build the three booths. The garments of the Apostles are in a state of disarray as to indicate the dramatic impact the vision has had on them. The icon of the feast directs our attention toward the event of the Transfiguration and specifically to the glory of God as revealed in Christ. This event came at a critical point in the ministry of our Lord, just as He was setting out on His journey to Jerusalem. He would soon experience the humiliation, suffering, and death of the Cross. However, the glorious light of the Resurrection was revealed to strengthen His disciples for the trials that they would soon experience. The feast also points to the great and glorious Second Coming of our Lord and the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God when all of creation will be transfigured and filled with light. Memory Bank A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window. I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait... That doesn't have anything to do with it, he replied. Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged, it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away, just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank. I am still depositing. Remember the five simple rules to be happy: 1. Free your heart from hatred. 2. Free your mind from worries. 3. Live simply. 4. Give more. 5. Expect less. (And when all else fails, just pray).

8 Church Information Rectory Hours- Please call for appointment. Phone Closed holidays Baptisms: Please contact the rectory to arrange a date with the pastor. Confessions: By appointment, before Divine Liturgy or check your bulletin schedule. Marriages: Those planning marriages must be active members of the parish, and must contact the pastor at least 6 months in advance. Marriage preparation for couples is required. Emergencies & Pastoral Care: Please call the pastor if a parishioner is hospitalized or home bound and in need of the Eucharist or Anointing of the Sick. New Parishioners are urged to register in the rectory office. Moving? Change of address? Please notify the rectory. Letters of Recommendation: for sponsors of the sacraments will be issued only to active members of the parish who are registered with the parish, receiving sacraments and supporting the parish. Mass Cards, Sanctuary Lights, and Other Candles etc.: Contact the rectory during office hours for information. Questions: Please contact the rectory, or see Msgr. Myron. Weekly Contributions Parishes Weekly Income: St. Michael: Contributions - $ Thank You! St. Nicholas: Contributions $ Cemetery $40.00 Thank You! Sanctuary Light: St. Nicholas- Special Intentions Sanctuary Light: St. Michael- Special Intention for Stephen Pytak on his Birthday by Parents Seven Branch Candlestick- God s Blessings for & in Memory of the Blaschak & Wolfe Families 4 Lamps of the Iconostas- In Memory of +John Bagienski by the Bagienski Family Lamps of the Crucifix- In Memory of +Mary Lazusky & +Anna Lefchick by William & Irene Mc Andrew Lights of the Tetrapod- Lights of the Tabernacle- God bless you for your love and devotion to your parish! Prayer Requests: Please remember those who are shut-ins, those in need, or who are ill or suffering and all those who have requested our prayers. Please pray for those who put themselves in harm s way to serve others such as those who serve in the military protecting our country, firefighters, police, and emergency personal. St. Michael Helen O Connell Susan Enders Jane Sittnick** Eva Koch Helen Beddall Dolores O Connell Leahy Dolores Kozie Irene Flaherty Helen Bereschak Bill McAndrew* Mary Goodlunas* Tom Prete** Helen Sims Andrea Pytak Sandy Bankes* Susan Chernesky Mary Mazur Annie Cragen Shannon s Mom* Pat Sittnick** Irene Yaroma Matthew Morrisey St. Nicholas Peter Kadingo Laura Seasock Joseph Salak Margaret Skrincosky Anna Skrincosky Jim Rehnert Mary Mistishen Catherine Washuta Walter Mistishen Joseph Luckenbill Metro & Helen Tarris Elizabeth Gulas Andrew Skrincosky Items in this bulletin are from Fr. Daniel & St Josephat s Bulletin, Archbishop Chancery, Vatican Website, Father Fields & The Church Signs Calendar 2016